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Fast-moving brush fire in Ford prompts immediate evacuations

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 15, 2021

Fire officials from Stevens County Fire District No. 1 told residents through their Facebook page they needed to leave immediately as they used ground and air resources to battle the fast-moving brush fire that started around 1:45 p.m. Sunday. The evacuation area included residents who lived north of 5821 Highway 231.

News >  Higher education

Gonzaga University reinstates mask mandate for students, faculty, citing delta variant of COVID-19

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 15, 2021

The mandate is expected to last several weeks into the semester, officials said.

News

Winds, cold front expected to push some smoke out of Spokane area on Sunday

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 15, 2021

Though Spokane's air quality dropped to unhealthy levels again on Sunday, westerly winds were expected to sweep through and bring cleaner air for the region, weather officials said. 

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News >  Spokane

Smoke returns to Spokane during excessive heat warning, and another precipitation record falls

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 12, 2021

Spokane’s air quality reached unhealthy levels again Thursday as another heat wave crept into the area.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Two men killed after semitruck fails to stop at stop sign near Moses Lake

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 12, 2021

Two men died at the scene Wednesday when a semitruck drove through a stop sign and T-boned their Chevy pickup truck near Moses Lake.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Stevens County fire district on the search for stolen air compressor: ‘They’re stealing from our community and taxpayers’

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 11, 2021

A fire district in Addy, Washington, said a brand-new $1,800 air compressor essential for fast response times was stolen from their new station on Sunday.

News >  Idaho

Kootenai County sheriffs postpone public meeting over local COVID-19 surge

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 11, 2021

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office postponed a public commission meeting after a spike in COVID-19 cases in North Idaho caused concern that a crowded meeting would spread the virus.

News

Court docs: Man suspected of murdering 58-year-old in Spokane Valley motivated by money

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 10, 2021

A man stabbed to death in his Spokane Valley home in April was killed as part of a robbery, according to court documents.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Man accused of assaulting toddler who died Saturday pleads not guilty

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 9, 2021

A 19-month-old girl died at the hospital after suffering severe injuries in Spokane Valley while in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.

News

100-degree days expected to return to Spokane later this week

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 9, 2021

Chilly and wet conditions helped create for in Spokane Monday morning, leading to flight cancellations, but the region will soon return to a hot and dry summer.

News

Lightning strikes, gusty winds bring unstable weather to Spokane

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 8, 2021

Spokane still has not seen measurable rainfall since July 21. Deer Park got about half an inch of rain, but the National Weather Service said the storms were expected to leave Spokane by Sunday night. 

News >  Spokane

“Everyone gets what they want out of it”: Nonprofit groups host Steps for Autism at Riverfront Park on Sunday

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 9, 2021

Children, parents and community members of all ages walked several loops of Riverfront Park on Sunday afternoon in Steps for Autism, hosted by the ISAAC Foundation, the Northwest Autism Center and the Spokane chapter of the Autism Society.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

One dead in crash in southwest Spokane County; police arrest driver on suspicion of vehicular homicide

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 5, 2021

One person died at the scene of a fatal car crash Wednesday evening in southwest Spokane County, according to Spokane County deputies.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Man pleads guilty to murdering woman in March 2020

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 6, 2021

A man who killed a woman in March 2020 and left her nude body on Farwell Road in Mead pleaded guilty in court to second-degree murder and second-degree assault.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Former Spokane police officer awaiting trial for rape charges arrested again for allegedly raping another woman

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 5, 2021

A fired Spokane Police officer awaiting trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a victim of domestic violence was arrested Wednesday on new charges after another woman reported he raped her while on duty.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Court documents: Victim in fatal shooting at karaoke bar tried to leave after suspect punched him

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

Witnesses to a shooting were narrowly missed by bullets that flew through nearby residences, according to court documents that detail a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a restaurant on Hamilton Street and Sinto Avenue early Monday.

News >  Idaho

Unhappy campers: Several camps shutter due to poor air quality

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 4, 2021

Camps around the Inland Northwest decided to close their doors for the week after the region experienced unhealthy air quality for several days in a row.

News

Spokane still affected by heat, air quality warnings

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

Smoke and hot temperatures continued to choke Spokane on Tuesday, with bad air quality, excessive heat and thunderstorms promising a turbulent week for the region.

News

Fire north of Airway Heights prompts short evacuation

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 2, 2021

Residents who were evacuated from their homes on Gordon, Dover and Bowie roads were allowed to return as of 4:45 p.m. Monday, after fire crews responded to a brush fire near Airway Heights. 

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Court documents suggest Jakobe Ford and alleged shooter knew each other

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 2, 2021

An argument that started inside Lucky’s Bar on Sprague Avenue ended in the shooting and death of Jakobe Ford on Saturday night, according to court documents.

News >  Spokane

Spokane animal shelters see uptick in surrendered pets as housing emergency looms post-COVID-19

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 2, 2021

"It's a given that people are going to be struggling. ... It’s the ultimate sacrifice to give someone away who is a part of your family,” said Gail Golden, marketing director at Spokane Humane Society.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Shadle high school grad, acclaimed athlete Jakobe Ford identified as man shot downtown on Saturday night

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 1, 2021

Ford, a graduate of Shadle Park High School, gained lots of recognition in the community as a USA Track and Field Junior Olympic triple-gold medalist and the recipient of the 2017 USATF Youth Athlete of the Year. He was the first since 1967 to win the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the Junior Olympics.

News >  Spokane

Residents and their pets can get a free ride to cooling centers as Spokane breaks another heat record

UPDATED: Fri., July 30, 2021

Spokane had its hottest July on record, but relief may be in sight in the form of rain and free rides to cooling centers before it could start to fall.

News >  Spokane

Zion Carter, suspect in shooting of wife and stepdaughter, arrested in Pierce County

UPDATED: Thu., July 29, 2021

Police arrested Zion Carter on Thursday after two days of searching for the man they suspect shot his wife and 11-year-old stepdaughter Tuesday morning in Airway Heights.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Fire that destroyed gazebo on Gina’s Design Studio roof caused by smoking, fire officials say

UPDATED: Wed., July 28, 2021

Smoking on the roof of Gina’s Design Studio on Second Avenue caused an accidental fire Saturday that destroyed a gazebo on top of the third floor of the business, fire officials said Wednesday.